State of Michigan and Federal Legislation

The official signing of the Companion Animal Welfare Fund by Governor Granholm.

 

Governor Granholm Signs Historic Farm Animal Welfare Measure into Law
Michigan Humane Society, The Humane Society of the United States and Farm Sanctuary Applaud Enactment of Compromise Bill to Improve Treatment of Animals

(Oct. 12, 2009) - Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm signed a landmark bill today that will, for the first time, extend modest yet meaningful protections to farm animals. A result of extensive negotiations between humane and agricultural groups, the law requires that certain farm animals have enough room to stand up, lie down, turn around and extend their limbs, rather than being confined in tiny cages.

Animal welfare groups - including the Michigan Humane Society, The Humane Society of the United States and Farm Sanctuary - applauded Governor Granholm for signing the bill and lawmakers, agricultural groups, and environmental groups for supporting the measure.

HB 5127 phases out veal crates for calves within three years, and battery cages for laying hens and gestation crates for breeding sows within ten years. The state has more than ten million laying hens, approximately 100,000 breeding pigs, and is ranked by the Cattleman’s Beef Board as a top veal-producing state (no official numbers are available).

Michigan becomes the seventh state to ban gestation crates, the fifth to ban veal crates, and the second to ban battery cages. Arizona, California and Florida have passed similar measures through ballot initiatives, and Maine, Colorado and Oregon have passed related laws in their state legislatures.

“All stakeholders realize that we must move in the direction of improved animal welfare standards, and this legislation provides a roadmap to move us in that direction,” remarked Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “All animals deserve humane treatment, including those raised for food.”

“This law represents modest yet important advancements for farm animals in our state,” said Michigan Humane Society President Cal Morgan. “I want to extend my gratitude to Reps. Pamela Byrnes and Mike Simpson for their leadership in bringing the parties together to forge a reasonable compromise.”

“Giving animals at least enough room to turn around and extend their limbs is something we can all support,” Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, said. “We applaud Governor Granholm for signing this important reform.”

Facts:

• The House approved HB 5127 by a vote of 87-20, and the Senate approved it 36-0. The House concurred with the Senate version of the bill by a vote of 86-22.
• Major national retailers like Wendy’s, Safeway, Burger King, Red Robin, Carl’s Jr. and Hardees are increasingly phasing in crate-free and cage-free products due to consumer demand for better animal welfare.
• Scientific research confirms the welfare problems with battery cages, veal crates and gestation crates.

State Legislation:

Pet Food Labeling
(HB 4814, Vicki Barnett, D-Farmington Hills)
This bill would require pet food labels sold in retail stores to list the country of origin. This would enable consumers to make educated decisions on whether to purchase foods made with ingredients from other countries whose production standards may be lower than in the U.S.

Increases Penalties for Dog Law Violations
(HB 4802, Eileen Kowall, R-White Lake)
This bill would increase the fines and jail time for persons who violate the provisions or provide false claims under the existing Dog Law of 1919, which deals with dog and kennel licensing and livestock damage claims.

Pound Seizure Ban
(HB 4663, John Espinoza, D-St. Clair)
Animal shelters should be safe havens for animals, and not sell pets into research. This bill would ban that practice in Michigan.

Animal Friendly License Plate
(HB 4167, Kim Meltzer, R-Macomb County)
This bill would allow animal lovers to purchase a new specialty vehicle license plate. The proceeds would support MHS animal welfare projects across the state.

Amendments to the Dangerous Animal Law
(SB 316, John Gleason, D-Flint)
While MHS supports the intent of this bill, which would address dogs and other animals who seriously injure or kill domestic animals, we are working on improvements to it that would add a category of “potentially dangerous” with lesser penalties.

Amendments to the Probate Trust Code
(SB 0387, Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt)
This bill addresses many aspects of the probate trust code. Regarding animals, it would allow a person having an interest in the welfare of an animal owned by the deceased person to request the probate court to appoint a person to enforce a probate trust or remove an appointed person.

Outlaw Gas Chambers to Euthanize Animals
(HB 4803, Fred Miller, D-Macomb County):
This bill would end the use of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide chambers for euthanasia of animals in animal shelters.

Outlaw Gas Chambers to Euthanize Animals
(HB 4263, Rick Jones, R-Eaton County)
MHS supports ending the use of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide chambers for euthanasia in animal shelters. However, this bill must be amended to allow the use of specialized gas chambers for unusual cases, such as injured baby birds, for which injection euthanasia is not recommended.

Waiver of Sterilization Deposit for Temporary Foster Care
(HB 4465, Pete Lund, R-Macomb County)
Since the law mandating sterilization deposits does not apply to animals until they are adopted, this bill does not appear to be necessary. MHS does not support waiver of sterilization deposits at time of adoption, as deposits are incentives to encourage neutering, thus helping reduce animal overpopulation.

State Animal Regulation:

Federal Legislation: